Town vs. Township — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 27, 2023
A Town is a populated area with fixed boundaries and a local government, while a Township is a subdivision of a county, often rural, with its own local administration.
Difference Between Town and Township
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A Town is typically an urban or suburban area that's larger than a village but smaller than a city. It has its own infrastructure, amenities, and a local governing body responsible for the welfare and management of its residents. On the other hand, a Township often denotes a division within a larger administrative region, like a county. It may encompass several smaller communities or rural areas.
In many places, a Town has the legal status granted by the state, which allows it to have its own local government and enact its own laws. A Township, conversely, might not always have the same degree of autonomy. In certain contexts, a Township is a purely administrative division with no governing authority of its own.
The idea of a Town often carries a connotation of a bustling community with schools, markets, and other facilities. It's where people live, work, and play. A Township, while it can be populated, might also be characterized by vast stretches of farmland, forests, or undeveloped land.
Another significant difference is in their origins and usage across various countries. While the term "Town" is used universally in many parts of the world to describe a type of settlement, the concept of a "Township" varies. In the U.S., it's an administrative division, but in places like South Africa, it refers to underdeveloped segregated urban areas.
In terms of population, while this isn't a strict rule, Towns generally have more inhabitants than Townships. The population in a Town is more dense and concentrated, given its urban nature. On the contrary, Townships might spread over a larger area but with fewer people, particularly if it's more rural.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An urban area with its own local government.
A subdivision of a county with local governance.
Typical Setting
Urban or suburban.
Often rural.
Governance
Has its own governing body and laws.
May lack autonomy; governed by larger region.
Connotation
Bustling community with amenities.
May include farmlands or undeveloped areas.
Population Density
Generally denser with more concentrated populace.
Might spread over a large area with fewer people.
Compare with Definitions
Town
An area recognized for its infrastructure and amenities.
The town boasts of two schools, a library, and a park.
Township
An often rural area with its own local administration.
The township meeting is next week at the community hall.
Town
A smaller urban area, distinct from larger cities.
She moved from a big city to a quiet town.
Township
In some contexts, refers to underdeveloped or segregated urban areas.
The townships in South Africa have a complex history.
Town
An area with defined boundaries set by administrative regulations.
The map clearly delineates the limits of the town.
Township
A region that can encompass multiple smaller communities.
The township includes three villages and vast farmlands.
Town
A town is a human settlement. Towns are generally larger than villages and smaller than cities, though the criteria to distinguish between them vary considerably in different parts of the world.
Township
A division within a larger administrative region like a county.
Their farm is located in Greenfield Township.
Town
A population center that is larger than a village and smaller than a city.
Township
An administrative subdivision that may or may not have its own governing authority.
The township relies on the county for major decisions.
Town
A territorial and political unit governed by a town meeting, especially in New England.
Township
A township is some kind of human settlement or administrative subdivision, with its meaning varying in different countries. While the term is occasionally associated with an urban area, this tends to be an exception to the rule.
Town
(Informal) A city
New York is a big town.
Township
A subdivision of a county in most northeast and Midwest US states, having the status of a unit of local government with varying governmental powers.
Town
Chiefly British A rural village that has a market or fair periodically.
Township
A public land surveying unit of 36 sections or 36 square miles.
Town
The residents of a town
The whole town was upset at the news.
Township
An ancient administrative division of a large parish in England.
Town
An area that is more densely populated or developed than the surrounding area
Going into town to shop.
Township
A suburb or city in South Africa formerly designated by the government as a predominantly black residential area.
Town
The residents of a community in which a university or college is located, as opposed to the students and faculty
A dispute pitting town against gown.
Township
The territory of a town.
Town
A group of prairie dog burrows.
Township
A subdivision of a county.
Town
A settlement; an area with residential districts, shops and amenities, and its own local government; especially one larger than a village and smaller than a city, historically enclosed by a fence or walls, with total populations ranging from several hundred to more than a hundred thousand (as of the early 21st century)
This town is really dangerous because these youngsters have Beretta handguns.
Township
An area set aside for nonwhite occupation.
Town
Any more urbanized centre than the place of reference.
I'll be in Yonkers, then I'm driving into town to see the Knicks at the Garden tonight.
Township
A nonwhite (usually subeconomic) area attached to a city.
Town
A rural settlement in which a market was held at least once a week.
Township
A small town.
Town
The residents (as opposed to gown: the students, faculty, etc.) of a community which is the site of a university.
Township
The district or territory of a town.
Town
(colloquial) Used to refer to a town or similar entity under discussion.
Call me when you get to town.
Township
In surveys of the public land of the United States, a division of territory six miles square, containing 36 sections.
Town
A major city, especially one where the speaker is located.
Township
In Canada, one of the subdivisions of a county.
Town
(legal) A municipal organization, such as a corporation, defined by the laws of the entity of which it is a part.
Township
An administrative division of a county;
The town is responsible for snow removal
Town
(obsolete) An enclosure which surrounded the mere homestead or dwelling of the lord of the manor; by extension, the whole of the land which constituted the domain.
Town
A farm or farmstead; also, a court or farmyard.
Town
London, especially central London.
Town
Formerly: (a) An inclosure which surrounded the mere homestead or dwelling of the lord of the manor. [Obs.] (b) The whole of the land which constituted the domain. [Obs.] (c) A collection of houses inclosed by fences or walls.
Town
Any number or collection of houses to which belongs a regular market, and which is not a city or the see of a bishop.
Town
Any collection of houses larger than a village, and not incorporated as a city; also, loosely, any large, closely populated place, whether incorporated or not, in distinction from the country, or from rural communities.
God made the country, and man made the town.
Town
The body of inhabitants resident in a town; as, the town voted to send two representatives to the legislature; the town voted to lay a tax for repairing the highways.
Town
A township; the whole territory within certain limits, less than those of a country.
Town
The court end of London; - commonly with the.
Town
The metropolis or its inhabitants; as, in winter the gentleman lives in town; in summer, in the country.
Always hankering after the diversions of the town.
Stunned with his giddy larum half the town.
Town
A farm or farmstead; also, a court or farmyard.
Town
An urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city;
They drive through town on their way to work
Town
An administrative division of a county;
The town is responsible for snow removal
Town
The people living in a municipality smaller than a city;
The whole town cheered the team
Town
A populated area with its own local government.
The town meeting will be held at the community center.
Town
A settlement larger than a village.
After leaving the village, we headed to the nearest town.
Common Curiosities
Is the term 'Township' used universally like 'Town'?
No, while "Town" is widely recognized, the concept and usage of "Township" vary across countries.
Can a Township include multiple smaller settlements?
Yes, a Township can encompass several smaller communities.
Which is typically larger in size: a Town or a Township?
A Township might spread over a larger area, but a Town generally has a denser population.
Is a Town always smaller than a city?
Typically, a Town is smaller than a city, but this can vary based on local definitions and regulations.
How do Townships in the U.S. differ from those in South Africa?
In the U.S., a Township is an administrative division, while in South Africa, it often refers to underdeveloped segregated urban areas.
Are Towns urban in nature?
Yes, Towns are typically urban or suburban, distinct from rural Townships.
Can a Township be more populous than a Town?
While Towns generally have a denser populace, certain large Townships could have more inhabitants.
What's a primary distinction between a Town and a Township?
A Town is an urban area with its own local government, while a Township is a subdivision of a county, often rural.
Do all Townships have their own local governance?
Not always; some Townships might be purely administrative divisions without their own governing authority.
What kind of amenities can one expect in a Town?
Towns usually have schools, markets, parks, and other essential facilities.
Are all Townships rural?
While many Townships are rural, some might have urban characteristics or include urban areas.
Do Townships always fall within a county?
In the U.S., Townships are often subdivisions of a county, but the definition can vary in other regions.
Can a Town make its own laws?
Yes, many Towns have legal status allowing them to enact their own laws and regulations.
Can both Towns and Townships have local meetings?
Yes, both can have local meetings, depending on their governance structures.
Is it common for a Township to have its own schools and markets?
It varies; while some Townships might have such amenities, others, especially more rural ones, might not.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
